Academy apologizes for Asian jokes during Oscars

The Motion Picture Academy apologized on Tuesday for jokes made about Asians during last month's Oscars ceremony.

"The Academy appreciates the concerns stated, and regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive," says an Academy spokesperson. "We are committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive."

Dozens of Academy members issued a letter to Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs and CEO Dawn Hudson earlier in the day expressing their concerns.

"We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes," said the March 9 letter signed by Ang Lee, George Takei, Sandra Oh and 22 other Academy members, former Oscar winners and nominees.

During the controversial segment from the February awards show, host Chris Rockbrought three Asian children carrying briefcases onto the stage, posing as "bankers" from finance firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

THE OSCARS(r) - THEATRE - The 88th Oscars, held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre(r) at Hollywood & Highland Center(r) in Hollywood, are televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST. (Photo by Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Images)
CATE BLANCHETT

HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Mark A. Mangini (L) and David White accept the Best Sound Editing award for 'Mad Max: Fury Road' onstage during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Musicians Verdine White (L) and Philip Bailey (R) of Earth, Wind & Fire and Beck attend the 24th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 28, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for EJAF)

"They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives," he said. "Please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz."

"If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids," Rock added.

The letter demanded a response from the Academy, saying, "We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect."

Read the full letter below. The Academy did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.

Dear Cheryl, Dawn, Members of the Board of Governors, Reginald and David:

We are writing as Academy members of Asian descent to express our complete surprise and disappointment with the targeting of Asians at the 88th Oscars telecast and its perpetuation of racist stereotypes.

In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians.

We'd like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could have happened and what process you have in place to preclude such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in future Oscars telecasts.

We look forward to hearing from you about this matter and about the concrete steps to ensure that all people are portrayed with dignity and respect.

We are proud that the Oscars reach several hundred million people around the world of whom 60% are Asians and potential moviegoers.